assessing the impact of electroacupuncture on facial thermal characteristics of major depressive disorder patients based on infrared thermal imaging technology

Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder; Infrared Thermography

Summary: three groups of subjects will be included: 20 subjects in the healthy control group, 20 subjects in the mdd electroacupuncture (ea) intervention group, and 20 subjects in the mdd waiting-list group (participants will receive no treatment within 4 weeks). the temperature and infrared thermography (irt) images of the facial acupoints of three groups will be recorded by an infrared thermal-imaging camera. the average facial temperature and acupoints temperature will be analyzed and compared within 3 groups. in addition, the correlation between facial infrared radiation characteristics of mdd patients and emotional changes will be explored. besides, the relative specificity of the two meridians will be investigated.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: inclusion criteria for healthy subjects: 1. healthy subjects should provide a physical examination report within the last year, which could confirm they had not major systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, hematological, endocrine and neurological disease; 2. 18 ≤ age ≤ 60 years, both gender; 3. subjects have clear consciousness and could communicate with others normally; 4. subjects could understand the full study protocol and written informed consent is provided by themselves. note: subjects who meet the above four items will be included. inclusion criteria for mdd patients: 1. meeting the above diagnostic criteria for mdd; 2. phq-9 score of 5 to 14, hamd score of 21 to 35, and a diagnosis of mild or moderate depression by a specialist; (3)18 ≤ age ≤ 60 years, both gender; (4) patients have clear consciousness and could communicate with others normally; (5) patients could understand the full study protocol and written informed consent is provided by themselves; (6) those who did not use other therapies other than the basic treatment and this experimental therapy. the basic treatment refers to basic antidepressant medications under the supervision of a specialist. the basic antidepressant medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors. note: subjects who meet the above six items will be included. exclusion criteria: exclusion criteria for healthy subjects: 1. subjects suﬀering from mental illness, severe depression, alcohol dependence or a history of drug abuse; 2. subjects in pregnancy, lactation or menstrual period; 3. subjects have a fever; 4. subjects have visible skin damage or scars in the face; 5. subjects participating in other trials. note: subjects who meet any of the above will be excluded. exclusion criteria for mdd patients: 1. patients with bipolar disorder; 2. patients with schizophrenia or other mental disorders; 3. patients with severe medical diseases, tumors or diseases of the central nervous system; 4. patients suﬀering from severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms; 5. suicidal patients; 6. patients with seasonal depression; 7. patients with organic depression; 8. patients with alcohol or drug addicts; 9. patients using other therapies; 10. patients in pregnancy or lactation; 11. patients suffering from cognitive dysfunction, aphasia or other diseases that cannot cooperate with treatment; 12. patients with pacemakers; 13. patients who are not suitable for ea. note: subjects who meet any of the above will be excluded.